Hybrid User Interface System for Set-Top Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pay-TV broadcasters face challenges in updating their systems to provide hybrid user interfaces (UIs) that are cost-effective, flexible, and compatible with various devices, as existing technologies struggle with increased bandwidth, server load, and the need for consistent UI/UX across different set-top boxes and media devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing hybrid UIs that involve a remote application server with a status information collector, service inferring processor, and interaction mode determining processor to analyze user profiles and determine suitable interaction modes for blending content and UI resources, reducing the load on subscriber terminal devices and enabling real-time monitoring and traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based server processes all UI rendering and control commands, then centralized control and consistent UI/UX across devices is improved, but bandwidth consumption and server load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UI delivery process into two parts: essential control commands are sent from the cloud-based server to the set-top box, while detailed UI resources (images, videos, layouts) are cached locally in the set-top box. This segmentation reduces bandwidth consumption by avoiding repeated transmission of large UI resources while maintaining centralized control for updates and personalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-caching UI resources in the set-top box before they are needed. The system predicts which UI resources will be required based on user profiles and service types, and pre-loads them into local storage. This eliminates the need for real-time cloud processing of UI rendering, reducing server load and bandwidth consumption while maintaining fast UI response.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing set-top boxes are replaced with high-performance models to support hybrid UIs, then UI performance and flexibility are improved, but device cost and replacement complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the set-top box universal by implementing a hybrid UI architecture that can operate with both cloud-based server control and local caching capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the same set-top box hardware to support various service types (pay-TV, VOD, Internet services) and UI delivery methods, eliminating the need for specialized high-performance devices and reducing replacement complexity.
3Device complexity
If cloud-based server provides UI using single interaction mode, then system simplicity is maintained, but service flexibility and user experience quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the system to switch between different interaction modes (cloud-based server control, local caching, hybrid mode) based on service requirements, user profiles, and network conditions. The set-top box dynamically adjusts its operation mode without requiring complex reconfiguration, maintaining system simplicity while achieving service flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a system for providing hybrid user interfaces (UIs) which determines status information according to a subscriber terminal device and a service environment, and a suitable interaction mode corresponding to various content resources and UI resources through analysis of a user profile and provides a service suitable for a user and a situation through a combinative UI resource blended according to the interaction mode, and a method thereof. More particularly, by the system for providing hybrid UIs of the present disclosure and a method thereof, interaction modes corresponding to various content resources and UI resources may be organically combined in each of various set-top boxes and media devices, thereby providing stable and sustainable UIs.